On January 28, 2026, Amazon confirmed a second major round of corporate layoffs, announcing it would eliminate approximately 16,000 jobs worldwide as part of an expanded restructuring of its corporate operations (CTV News).
An internal email referencing these layoffs was mistakenly sent to employees — including workers in Canada and the United States — incorrectly suggesting they had already been notified of job losses, causing confusion and anxiety among staff (CBC News; The Globe and Mail).
Earlier, on October 28, 2025, Amazon announced plans for a large-scale corporate restructuring that could result in up to 30,000 corporate job cuts worldwide (Reuters; AP News; CTV News). Approximately 14,000 corporate roles were eliminated in the first wave in October, with further reductions announced in January.
While Amazon has not released a country-by-country breakdown, internal communications referenced impacted employees in Canada, raising serious concerns for Canadian workers. Those affected — particularly corporate and tech employees in Canada — should understand their legal rights and carefully review any severance offers before signing.
What Amazon Announced
Reporting indicates the restructuring is focused on corporate and technology roles, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail, Prime Video, and human resources (The Globe and Mail).
Who May Be Affected in Canada?
Based on available reporting and internal communications, Amazon’s restructuring appears concentrated in corporate and technology divisions, with Canadian employees explicitly referenced in the premature internal email (CBC News).
Potential impact areas in Canada may include:
- Corporate and tech roles — including HR, operations, finance, product, and administrative support.
- Technology teams — software engineering, program management, and data analysis tied to corporate functions.
- Operations or logistics leadership — while the focus remains on corporate staff, large-scale restructurings can also affect management roles connected to Amazon’s fulfilment network.
Your Rights if You’re Laid Off or Terminated
Employers often provide only the minimum termination or severance pay required by provincial employment standards legislation (for example, Ontario’s Employment Standards Act). These minimums vary by province but are typically far less than what employees may be entitled to under common law reasonable notice, which considers factors, including:
- Length of service
- Age
- Position held
- Availability of similar employment in your field
Employers often provide only the minimum statutory severance required by provincial employment standards legislation, such as Ontario’s Employment Standards Act. This may be far less than what employees are entitled to under common-law reasonable notice.
Wondering what you’re owed? Use our Severance Pay Calculator to estimate your potential entitlement based on your age, tenure, and role.
Potential Issues with Amazon Layoff Notices
- Insufficient notice periods — failing to provide adequate notice as required by provincial law.
- Misclassified “temporary layoffs” — where there’s no genuine intent to recall employees.
- Incomplete severance packages — omitting benefits continuation, bonus/commission treatment, or accrued vacation pay.
- Pressure to sign quickly — deadlines that discourage employees from seeking legal advice.
Common Red Flags in Layoff Packages
- Short turnaround times or “sign-by” deadlines that discourage you from seeking legal advice.
- Lump-sum offers that don’t clearly explain how severance amounts were calculated.
- Missing details about benefits continuation, bonuses, commissions, or equity treatment.
- “Temporary layoff” language when there is no realistic expectation of recall.
If you see any of these signs, pause and consider speaking with an employment lawyer before signing anything.
Wrongful Dismissal and Amazon Layoffs
In Ontario and across Canada, wrongful dismissal occurs when an employer ends employment without providing sufficient notice or pay in lieu as required by common law and provincial employment standards laws. You may have a claim where there is insufficient notice/severance, misclassification (for example, a “temporary layoff” that is effectively a termination), pressure to sign an unfair release, or discriminatory/retaliatory reasons.
Pursuing a wrongful dismissal claim may help you recover additional compensation beyond what was initially offered.
How Monkhouse Law Can Help
- Free 30-minute phone consultation to review your severance offer.
- Skilled negotiation to help you secure fair compensation, including benefits and variable pay.
- Representation in wrongful dismissal claims where terminations are mishandled.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been laid off or offered severance by Amazon in Canada, don’t sign anything before understanding your rights. Contact Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers for a free 30 minute phone consultation.